Those of us who live in geographically cold cities are always unsure for a brief period every year, just why, exactly, we do this to ourselves.

Appreciation

You appreciate summer so much more.

A year and a half ago, I moved to California from the Toronto area and I can tell you for sure: you appreciate the seasons so much more when they change that dramatically. I like summer here, it's about as nice and warm as before and maybe there are far more sunny days, but you get something like four straight months of sunny days. It's nice, but by August you're like "man, I can't WAIT for fall!" You're already bored of summer.

In Canada, fall is a beautiful descent into the holiday season, with the leaves turning golden, orange, read, and brown, through Halloween into Thanksgiving getting cooler and cooler making everyone more cuddly and wrapped in soft comfy clothes. The season caps off in parties and family and friends and love, the end nestling you gently in a storybook Christmas setting with gentle snow making it (hopefully) the white Christmas that Bing Crosby kept going on and on about about. If you're middle-class, everything is warm fires and hot chocolate and snuggling together watching Netflix on the couch under a thick, warm blanket.

Then it's mid-January. You've already f-cked-up your New Year's resolutions so it's a granola bar for breakfast again, you have to get your ass to work on the bus and it's a half-hour late because the snowplows are on strike AGAIN and nobody can f-cking drive in this g-ddamn country. February is sh-tty and freezing and transitions into March with wet and sh-tty slush everywhere so it's either ugly-a-- rain boots that don't grip on ice, by the way, or hope you love wet socks for the entire day. It's been raining for basically a decade by now, I don't remember what the sky used to look like, and by the time all this sh-tty, dirt-and-garbage-covered snow has melted, great! All of the grass is dead and yellow and covered in every definition of the word "refuse." F-ck April and May is also b-llsh-t because it might be 10°C but you're wearing boots forever and "spring" may as well be completely made up, because there's flowers and shit but it's been cold and shitty for thousands of years now and you packed away your summer clothes so long ago you don't even remember what a polo is.

Finally, when you least expect it...there's a random day in May when it's...all of the sudden...nice? The sun is shining and the grass has FINALLY started to perk up with a little green, and the tulips have started to bloom and people are suddenly outside, enjoying a Saturday morning in the park. You remember what warmth on your arms feels like for the first time in a while and you get the first face-sunburn because you've lived so long without touching a sunscreen it's like a monastic vow by now. Then you gradually get brought back into Summer World, where it gets dark at 9 PM instead of 5, where the sunsets are beautiful and there's so much to do and explore. There's beer on the patio and barbecuing and pool parties with friends and everything is amazing for a few beautiful months before September hits and you get to rediscover your love for jackets, hats, and fall all over again. cnvandev

The Alternative Is Worse

I grew up near Orlando and just moved to Seattle in August. Your post has triggered my PTLIFD (post traumatic living in Florida disorder). I never even gave a second thought to the bugs until I moved and realized there aren't any here and that everyone in America doesn't deal with sugar ants and palmetto bugs seeking refuge in their house. Or mosquitoes every time you want to go outside in the evening. And the constantly changing indoor vs. outdoor temperatures, ugh. It's so nice to not need a shower after bringing groceries into the house. And to be able to have all the windows open for more than just a couple random days of the year. ashella

Tradition

Northern climates are beautiful, especially if you live near mountains. There is a majesty to winter that is unmatched by the other seasons. It also provides for a lot of activities that you can't otherwise do like skiing/snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating (outdoors), sledding, ice-cave camping, etc.

You have a time of year when people spend more time indoors, which makes for more intimate time with friends and family. Nothing beats curling up by a warm fire with a hot drink and playing a board game together while it's snowing outside. And when it's over, and the world warms up, it feels like an annual cycle of rebirth and revitalization. It's amazing. Plus, as others have mentioned, you then enjoy a warm summer with fewer bugs and weird tropical predators.

And the trade off for all of this? Turn up the heat, drive more slowly, and put on a coat. I can handle that.theultrayik

Apocalypse

Which Weather Is Worse?

No tornadoes, large earthquakes, devastating hurricanes, poisonous reptiles, alligators, crocodiles, bear attacks, oppressive heat. it's a good trade off for having to wear a scarf occasionally. Nanojack

Being Alive

When it's cold I feel alive. I probably helps that on really cold days the sky's usually clear and there's no wind. The air nips at your face but the sun warms you at the same time. Only thing I can't stand about winter is the darkness.

When it's hot I feel half dead. My body just shuts down above 30°C and I lose all energy to do anything. Luckily it's usually only that hot for a week each year.SweetGale

Easier Solutions

When you're uncomfortably cold, you can always throw on an extra layer to get warm.

When you're uncomfortably hot, there are only so many layers you can remove before you're still uncomfortably hot.

And heat makes me much more prone to irritability, depression, and lethargy. That's why I moved out of Houston and into Pennsylvania.PianoManGidley

No Snuggles

I lived in Costa Rica for a few years and a lack of seasons REALLY bothers me. I love the place but I cannot describe the comfort it brings me to see lush spring turn to radiant summer turn to contemplative fall turn to hallowed winter. Seeing time pass like that helps me value the moment I'm in and gives perspective to where I want to go.

when I go walking in winter, when I feel the cold bite at me and the wind push against me I am reminded of how alive I am. It is not a feeling you get from 65-70 degree weather with no clouds and no wind. I feel like I'm in a vacuum, that I'm part of a vacuum as well. In cold and windy weather I feel nature flow around ME.

And the wife snuggling is hard to beat bruh, especially when you make your own cocoa and have a fire going. GilgameshWulfenbach

Venom-less

Canadian here. It's that kind of weather for like...1/3 of the year. Because of that, we don't deal with a lot of terrible animals outside of that season. Poisonous spiders? Nope. Poisonous snakes? Nope. The worst we've got to deal with are bears and moose.

I was born here, I'll probably stay here. My whole family lives here minus a couple relatives 8 hours away. So I live here because I don't feel like leaving anyways, and I don't want to deal with poisonous animals. Thatkidwithaspergers

What We Did For Love

Because I got laid off the same STUPID year that I met the most amazing woman who lives in STUPID Fairbanks, in STUPID Alaska.

When we were living apart we were trying to figure out who would quit their job that they loved and move to the other person's city and my STUPID employer decided to go out of STUPID business. I moved in with the love of my STUPID life in STUPIDVILLE and the air HURTS MY STUPID FACE.

State Of Living

Vermonter here. 1) How would I know my state cares if it didn't try to kill me with weather? 2) I run naturally hot and dealing with cold is much easier than heat. 3) I live near a college town so I enjoy the effect cold weather has on newly arrived warm place people. KrakenBeatsCthulhu

More Stable Weather

I live where the air hurts my face because the air only hurts my face potentially 4 months out of the year. The other 8 months we have great weather: not too hot, not too cold. We get to watch the leaves change in the fall and that is amazingly beautiful in and of itself. Also, Winter and cold and snow are a change of pace and makes us look forward to the rest of the year's weather even more.

A couple of last reasons: Very few tornadoes, very few floods, no hurricanes, no wild fires, no earthquakes, no huge insects or animals that want to feed on us.Tripnslow

It Keeps You Humble

Because it makes you feel alive when you know that poor preparation leads to cold death. disgustipated

Bare Necessities

I grew up in Michigan. Once, in college, it was so cold as I walked across campus I had to stop at the school store and overpay for a winter hat just to feel okay walking to the class building OR walking back to my dorm. My fault for not having a hat, (yes mom, you told me so) but it was strange to literally feel unsafe without one.

For 6 months I lived in South Carolina, and in June and July it was mid 90s on a daily basis, creeping up to 100 semi-often. It was excruciating, I would dread leaving the house, delay grocery shopping until the evening and basically never be outside. And I'm a moderately active, moderately outdoorsy person. I just couldn't do it. I was practically homebound during daylight hours on weekends and I would stay up late and sleep in just so I could be up during the night more and be more active as a result.

Given the choice I would rather endure the Michigan winters than South Carolina summers.dsjunior1388

Bringing People Together

Born n raised in Los Angeles, met "a boy from queens" three weeks before he was moving back to New York. Fell crazy in love and moved a couple months later. Been here seven winters. Have an insanely awesome job (low stress, good pay and benefits). Started a family. His parents are nearby and help out a lot with raising our two little boys.

So I'm used to weather that hurts the face now. Having seasons makes you appreciate the good weather days. The same weather every day got monotonous growing up. 1StoolSoftnerAtaTime

Control

Because I don't have to worry about alligators killing my children or southerners controlling my politics. [Username deleted]

Can't Afford To Leave

Canadian.....air hurts your face everywhere except maybe Vancouver and there's too many reasons not to move there (e.g: 5 hour plane ride from family, very cloudy/rainy, one of the most expensive places in the world to buy a house).

Moving to the USA is pretty difficult for the average Canadian. Most Canadians who it either work for a multi national that sends them there or have special skills that make them very desirable. Captcha_Imagination

Born This Way

Wisconsinite chiming in. Personally, given the choice (i.e. if money was not a consideration) i would still stay where it was cold. My body is just built for cold; i sweat like you wouldnt believe in anything above roughly 60F so anywhere with even a mild climate is just gross for me. Going out in negative-degree weather isnt pleasant, but being in the heat is much less pleasant for me. american_hatchet

I Just Like It, Okay?

Well I live in New England.

The only states I'd consider living in that aren't in New England would be NY (where it still gets cold) or California, Oregon, Washington.

I like New England and I like winter. So far, I'm really disappointed in this winter. GunzGoPew

A List

-I love winter sports

-I'd rather experience the four seasons than have little variety throughout the year

To Get Out

Because I was born into poverty in northern Sweden; right in the middle of the arctic circle. Our winters can get really rough with temperatures falling down to -40 °C at worst, but this winter in particular we haven't seen worse than -35 °C.

This winter has been all sorts of strange when it comes to fluctuating temperatures with even +11° C being measured in the beggining of January.

My reasons for still living here are needing to finish school, family and friends located here, but most of all it's a lack of sweet sweet money which I need too escape this hellish country. 2WEIRD2LIVE2RARE2D1E

Rain

Because I came from a west coast city where it was temperate but it rained. every. single. day for at least 3-4 months out of the year. I'm talking pouring-soaking-wet-rain showers from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep. It was also dark, overcast and foggy for 6 months of the year.

I moved to an east coast city where it gets extremely cold but it's always clear and beautiful out. There's the rare dark and rainy day, but it's mostly sunny, snowy or just crisp and bright everyday.

I'd rather have my face hurt and bundle up in an expensive coat than be miserably wet and depressed. mangobananaapple

A Better Country

Because it's my home and the majority of the people/things that I love are here. some of those things being: free healthcare, the Queen, socialcare for all my elderly relatives and bountiful sarcasm. plus, if I lived somewhere with glorious weather i'd have to spend all my holiday time back here... it would probably also kill my Nan with worry if I moved. pleasedontwearthat

Have you ever found yourself in an argument so stupid and/or pointless that you were sure you were being punked? Like you keep looking away from the other person to check your surroundings for places Ashton Kutcher and a camera crew could come popping out of?

Brace yourselves, folks. Some of these arguments are breathtakingly bonkers. The sheer number of people who are willing to argue with someone over provable facts and what that other person likes or doesn't like is just ... stunning. It's stunning, you guys. Just not in a good way.

Saturdays

My husband and I have this thing where we only say "I love you" on Saturdays. Every other day it's "I love you, but only on Saturdays." I don't know how it started, but it's been going for 11 years now.

We're both shiftworkers, so sometimes we have to stop and think what day it actually is. We had an argument recently over whether it was Saturday or not. I said it was Saturday, he said it was Friday. It was Monday.

Iraq

I remember when I was about 13 my parents had an hour-long shouting match that ended with them almost getting divorced. The issue? Whether or not the nation of Iraq has a coastline.

My mother arguing that Iraq had a coastline, while my stepdad argued that it did not. This was back in 2004, and they are still quite happily married to this day. That incident is something they look back on and laugh about, and both of them admit it was really a pretty stupid thing to argue over.

Mini Wheats

When we were kids my brother and I got in a physical fight because he said I like mini wheats and I insisted I didn't. His argument was that I always sang the mini wheats song and I was deeply offended that he wasn't aware that it was just stuck in my head but I hated the cereal. I actually did like the cereal I'm not sure why I was arguing with him about it but I remember how genuinely angry I was.

Crayons

I'll tell you about the only legal trouble I've ever been in, the fight that got me arrested. It started over whether we should return a box of crayons or not, and to this day I don't have any idea how it escalated to the point of the cops being called, but they were and I was the one taken in.

That's Unfair

My boyfriend insisted that when two people are in an argument and one makes a point so reasonable and logical the other one can't disagree with it - it's unfair. I tried, logically and reasonably, to explain several times why that is just winning the argument, proving your point thoroughly and is completely fair.

Emailing NASA

A Non-Standard Ruler?

I worked for a company that made signs. We had a customer ask for signs that were 7mm wide that were to go on a door. Our sign makers figured the order meant inches because 7mm is pretty small, so made them 7 inches. I got a phone call from the customer who went mad at me for making them the wrong size. So I put a reorder through for 7 mm.

Argued with the sign makers over it but they eventually agreed to do it after I shown them the order in writing. I even had the customer put her complaint in writing, reiterating the size they wanted.

7mm signs went out and a day later I get the customer on the phone literally screaming at me.

Cue the dumb argument - we ended up having an argument over how big a millimetre is, and obviously everyone in the office were laughing, but this customer just wouldn't accept it and said we must be using a non-standard ruler to measure.

Ended up being escalating to the sales department manager who refused to issue a refund. We still don't know what they actually meant.

This Unusual Vegan Argument

Was in a pub with a few friends, and some random Dude dropped an ear, and somehow figured I'm vegan. Well, people like him are the reason I usually avoid mentioning it. He came up to me and insisted on starting a discussion about veganism. He claimed that by the end of it, I would be eating meat again.

He listed some stupid arguments, I told him I was not convinced and then tried to keep on drinking beer with my friends. He followed me, and wanted me to "try to convert him to a vegan." I stupidly listed some of my reasons thinking it would make him go away. He told me he still was not convinced, so I was like whatever. Again, I really just wanted to drink beer with my friends.

That dude followed me all night and expected me to try make him vegan. Doesn't matter what I said, and all the reasons that for me are obviously good enough to be vegan. He'd be just like "No, that doesn't convince me, therefore your argument and how you life is stupid."

Didn't matter how often I told him that I honestly don't care; 5 minutes later he would come up to me again "I'm still not vegan, so veganism is stupid, all your arguments were stupid, now give me a good reason to become vegan!" At one point, I was literally yelling at him that I don't give a single flying f about what he eats and why, that it's in no way my responsibility to "turn somebody vegan" and in no way his business what I eat.

Honestly, for that dude, I would have bought a whole ham, just to shove it up his stupid annoying face.

Monty Python

In college my roommate and I argued about a line in Monty Python & the Holy Grail. The scene with the Black Knight where the line "Alright, we'll call it a draw" is uttered. We argued about who said that line, whether it was King Arthur or the Black Knight.

It went on for hours longer than it should have because I was stubborn and refused to admit I was wrong.

Albert or Arnold

Below Sea Level

I live on an island and when you go upland and you look out the sea looks like it's higher than or on the same level as the land. It's just a weird perspective thing because of the horizon. One day some kid says that it's because the island is under sea level.

I'm like wtf bro all of us would be with the fishes. He argues that no that's not true and if I just go upland I'll see. We then spend a good 5 minutes of my time arguing about it until I decided to leave this kid in his stupidity. He even said we shouldn't believe everything adults tell us and sometimes we need to think for ourselves.

This kid was older than me and was going to a good school. Lost my respect for him ever since then.

Tomash

Now, my name is in a lot of languages with slightly different spellings. I would have accepted any of those spellings, but this one was just... Not even close. It didn't make any logical sense.

An analogous example is if my name was Thomas and someone was insisting it was spelled Tomash. And not just the name Thomas in general, but that me specifically, on my birth certificate, was named Tomash. I know how to spell my own name.

Whales Are Mammals

I was in an online chat room one day, and we were talking about whales. I commented on how whales are mammals and the next thing you know, someone was arguing with me and trying to convince me that a whale was a fish.

Shower Schedule

No Balloons For Grandma

My cousin and I argued over a balloon going to Heaven. We were at his big sisters prom send off and he let a balloon go and it went high into the sky.

He then said this balloon will go up past space and go to Heaven and reach grandma (God rest her soul). And I was like no it's not and it's probably not even gonna reach space. Releasing balloons is terrible for the environment and kills/harms so much wildlife.

He got really mad and defensive and started telling me to google it and do my research and I'm like I don't have to google it you idiot. He was mad at me for a good week.

Spontaneous Dolphin Existence

How dolphins reproduced. It took me a few solid minutes of explaining to her that dolphins have reproductive organs and that they did not just pop into existence. The argument began with her saying she wanted to work with sea creatures.

Personally, I hope she was messing with me cause I lost a little faith in humanity that day.

Male Chickens

Lightning McQueen

Me and my friend were drinking underage, we ended up in an argument of whether lightning McQueen's eyes were blue or green. Somehow throughout the whole thing both of us never thought to straight up google a picture.

Andre 2000?

I'm late, but I saw this question and instantly remembered that I was booted from a Facebook group because I called someone out on a lie that was not only bull, but extremely pointless. She was friends with the moderator and they made the case that my argument over such a little lie was more of a problem than the lie itself (though they didn't refer to it as a lie.)

The woman said that she used to babysit for Andre 3000 and that his name was Andre 2000 - but he changed it after the year 2000 had passed. This was so easily disproven it was ridiculous. Their debut album came out in 1994 and he was already going by Andre 3000 at that time.

The argument wasn't a huge long drawn out thing, but the fact that either of us were on Facebook at separate times meant that the responses were over a long period of time so this argument lasted a few days.

Stars Like Our Sun

Richard Nixon

I have a degree in history. I mostly focused on nationalism. Wrote a 50 page paper on it and Richard Nixon with around 50 100 sources. Looked at micro film for hours on end. Part of the paper focused on how Nixon being chair of the house committee of Unamerican Activities was used as a powerful weapon to use against political enemies. It also inspired Joe McCarthy. Have had people tell me I was wrong and Nixon was never elected to a position besides the president and Joe McCarthy came before Nixon. I stopped trying to talk history to people.

I also know quite a bit about the history of the Balkans its amazing how many Serbs refuse to believe Tito did anything wrong.

Wrote 100 page paper on nationalism in Israel. Its frustrating to talk about because for some reason a lot of people think Palestinian firing rockets randomly into Israel is ok but if Israel retaliates the people get up in arms over a targeted air strike that kills 3 people.

Balloon to Heaven

My cousin and I argued over a balloon going to Heaven. We were at his big sisters prom send off and he let a balloon go and it went high into the sky. He then said this balloon will go up past space and go to Heaven and reach grandma (God rest her soul). And I was like no it's not and it's probably not even gonna reach space.

And he got really mad and defensive and started telling me to google it and do my research and I'm like I don't have to google it you idiot. He was mad at me for a good week.

Binder Clips

I got into an argument with a co-worker over how we were attaching two pages of a letter together: small binder clips or paper clips.

He felt that paper clips would leave a "dent" in the paper when removed, but binder clips won't. He refused to staple them together. I felt that binder clips would also leave a "dent", so we might as well just use the paper clips.

It ended with him saying: "Do what you want [me], I don't care!" and storming off.

Lingerie Boxes

Late to the party, but there it is.

I'm a manager at a small store. We're only 4 working there, so my team and I grew very close and we joke around a lot. Once during a slow shift, my employee and I had an argument because we were looking at the lingerie boxes, and I thought that two specific boxes had the same woman on it, but she was 100% positive they weren't the same person.

Looking back, I don't know why it was such a big deal to us at the time, but we even called another employee who lives across the street to come and tell us what the heck was up with that. Turns out I was right, and she was pretty salty about it. It was a great night.

Wicked Witch of the West

I almost got into an argument with an old girlfriend over Glinda the good witch from Oz. She insisted that Glinda was manipulating Dorothy to assassinate the Wicked Witch of the West and convince the Wizard to leave to create a political void she could fill.

I conceded the issue when I heard the whole premise because I thought it was too damn stupid to get worked up over.

Keep Your Hands to Yourself

Just the other day I legit got in an argument with my co-workers on why I don't like my butt being grabbed by anyone (I'm a guy). Seriously.

They went on about "I don't mind it. Mike and I do it all the time and we don't care." Yeah, that's nice dude, but I'm not you, and there's something called "Keep your hands to yourself" (which was taught to a good portion of us growing up). Just like how Karen wouldn't like it if I touched her boobs or her grabbing your crotch or frankly ANY area you wouldn't like being grabbed, keep away. In general, you should not be touching me in any areas after I've told you not to several times before.

Telekinesis

My best friend and I argued over whether or not telekinesis was possible. Her argument was that humans don't yet know what the human brain at 100% usage was capable of, and that telekinesis was inside the possibilities.

Ghosts

How dolphins reproduced and whether or not ghost existed (back to back with the same person). It took me a few solid minutes of explaining to her that dolphins have reproductive organs and that they did not just pop into existence (the argument began with her saying she wanted to work with sea creatures).

How it shifted to the existence of ghosts is a solid and reasonable question to ask (I don't remember why). I had to then proceed to tell her that ghost hunting TV shows do not constitute as undeniable evidence.

Personally, I hope she was messing with me cause I lost a little faith in humanity that day. This was in high school SO... hopefully she was kidding.

Dogs and Chocolate

I told this stupid woman that chocolate is toxic to dogs. She went on to tell me how a little bit will just make them hyper and then they will calm down. I told her to google it. Her and her bf shut right up. Now they have a kid. Good luck, Jeremy and Andrea. morons.

I should also add that this argument started because Jeremy was giving his tiny dog chocolate and I told him it was toxic.

Is water wet?

Mission Trip

A kid a church telling me about the mission trip I went on. Not only was I not on that trip, but I had never been on any mission trip. We were good friends, so it's not like he would've mistaken someone else for me.

He insisted I was there as if an entire week long trip would just fall out of my memory. He even had stories of things we'd done together. I'm not sure if he thought I was lying, joking, stupid, or crazy, but I was pretty sure he was some combination thereof.

Dragon Tales

One time I got into a shouting match with my mom and little brother in the car. The issue? The names of the two-headed dragon from the PBS kids afternoon show Dragon Tales. I swore it was Zack and Macie.

It was actually Zak and Wheezie. I don't even remember why we were yelling about it.

Green Or Yellow?

When I was about 15 or so my mother and I spent about 20-30 minutes arguing about the color of a shirt. We agreed it was blue/green, but to me it was just a shade more blue, while to her it was just a bit more green.

Turns out, your eyeballs yellow as you age and hers were 24 years yellower than mine, so I think that skewed her color vision.

Stars In Their Multitude

I once got in an argument over whether or not a line from the song "Stars" in Les Mis says "...but mine is the way of the lord" or "mine is the way of the law".

I didn't even really care what he thought but he was so adamant and cocky that it got me heated. By the end of it we were shouting at each other and I had to apologize, which I think is what he wanted the whole time.

Biology Class

I had an argument with a girl IN THE MIDDLE OF A BIOLOGY CLASS in high school about how humans are not mammals. She thought a human was a human and we are not mammals because "mammals are animals and humans are not animals"

I tried explaining to her the difference between reptiles and mammals and how humans fall under the mammal category to try and educate her... but she just wouldn't listen.

Solid Or Liquid?

Some classmates and I got into a heated debate as to whether or not the human body could count as a soup, salad, or sandwich. The teacher got mad at us, but hey! All we were doing was watching a movie.

For the record, my logic lays with soup- Liquid contained within a solid, at a hot temperature.